Word is that on Dec. 17th, Bush will give a speech in which he pledges a renewed manned space effort culminating in a return to the moon and establishment of a base.
All those that think space is a marginal issue, that it's not important, that it's a boondoggle, that it's a waste of funds better put into program X, Y or Z -- think again. No other action has the chance to be as cleanly inspirational as this return to space. It can establish an image as a bold, visionary leader, without the counterweight of death and destruction. It can galvanize a large portion of the techno-savvy crowd. It can call up visions of John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and an unmatched combination of nostalgia, advancement, challenge, and dreams.
We can not give the moon to Bush.
Any Democratic leader who wants to win this thing has to act and act fast to voice a coherent plan for manned space flight. This is the race for the heart and soul of the future. If we make space the domain of Republicans, our campaigns will never get off the ground.